86-year-old woman escapes from Cedar Grove house fire

Officials are currently investigating the cause of a fire in Cedar Grove which has left an 86-year-old woman without a home.

Just after 5 a.m. Wednesday, the senior citizen awoke to the sound of a loud bang in her kitchen, according to police. At that time, she observed thick smoke in her home, at 128 Anderson Parkway, and managed to exit through the rear door, making her way to a neighbor's house for assistance. No one else was in the home at the time of the ordeal.

Upon police arrival around 5:15 a.m., officers encountered heavy smoke and were unable to gain entry as a result, says a released statement from Cedar Grove Police Chief Richard Vanderstreet.

Firefighters from Verona, Bloomfield, Caldwell, Little Falls, Montclair and North Caldwell were called in to assist Cedar Grove's battalion at the scene. A fire in the basement was discovered and extinguished at 5:41 a.m., according to police.

The 86-year-old woman, who complained of shortness of breath, was transported to Mountainside Hospital for medical evaluation. According to township tax records, the home is owned by widow Margaret Krupar.

The Essex County Prosecutor's Office and Cedar Grove Police Department are currently investigating the cause of the fire. The cause does not appear to be suspicious, according to Vanderstreet.

The home sustained considerable damage from fire, smoke and water, officials say. The damage can not be seen from curbside.